Construction set to begin in Bay Minette for universal playground

The artist rendering shows the layout of the new playground that will feature amenities to accommodate children with special needs. Construction is expected to take about a month, city officials said. (Courtesy Dalphne Culliver)

BAY MINETTE, Alabama — A new playground for kids of all ages and capabilities will soon be under construction in Bay Minette. The City Council finalized the paperwork last week to secure construction plans for the park, which will be built at the municipal pool site at the corner of Bradley Avenue and East 12th Street.

Construction should take about four weeks, said J.J. Hall, city grounds supervisor, who has spearheaded the project with Margo Allen. Hall said the playground "breaks the barrier" between children with and without physical difficulties.

"In the next few weeks citizens will start to see our pool complex taking on a new role," Hall said. "Not only do we have a pool that will accommodate physically challenged children but will soon have a playground that is fully accessible to all."

He said that once complete, the playground will mean "physically challenged children will not have to sit on the sideline and imagine playing; it will be for their benefit."

Dawn Gilmore, whose son Seth has cerebral palsy, said the park will be a welcome addition for children of all abilities.

"This is going to be a monumental day for children with special needs and their parents," Gilmore said. "It’s an awesome sight to see a child play, laugh and be happy. Believe it or not our children want to play just like others — it’s just a little more difficult for them. I can’t wait for the opening day so I can take Seth and let him have a blast."

The city of Bay Minette won a $250,000 state Community Development Block Grant for the project, the culmination of two years of working and planning, officials said.

Hall and Allen, director of the North Baldwin Chamber of Commerce, worked together to bring the project to Bay Minette.

"When positive and progressive folks get together, great ideas flourish," said Bay Minette Mayor Jamie Tillery. "Through the planning, grant writing, logistical and engineering phases, these efforts have been of heart and mind — it is an embodiment of working together and focus on a goal that benefits everyone. It’s a testimony that will be evident for generations of laughter as all our children have the opportunity to play together."

The Alabama Department of Economic and Community Affairs awarded the grant and the city has worked with Galbraith & Associates as the grant administrators to seek construction bids.

The new park will feature typical playground equipment, but with a design that accommodates those with special needs. The play area will offer zip slides, climbing walls, various slides, umbrella canopies and Americans with Disabilities Act-approved amenities.

It will also include double ramps to allow for multiple wheelchairs, and the groundcover will be concrete with a padding overlay to make it easier for wheelchairs to maneuver through the park.

Hall said this will be the first universal playground in the state of Alabama. The playground will be connected to the pool area through sidewalks, enabling those in wheelchairs to easily move from one to the other. The municipal pool complex is already home to two pools, tennis courts, basketball courts and a walking path. The smaller "kiddie" pool has a zero-entry feature, with a gradual decline that makes it wheelchair accessible.